This was the first Christmas I had spent away from home my whole life. Christmas is super big in my family, and it’s by far my favorite holiday. So when I had thought about applying for the Race I was initially looking at January routes so I could be back in time for Christmas, and then I felt God pull me to spend Christmas in another country and culture, and I fell in love with the idea. I got so excited to spend Christmas somewhere else, which 2 years ago was something I would never do. God is crazy.
We entered into Cambodia on December 4th, started ministry on the 11th, and the month felt like any other month. I realized just how hyped North Americans get on holidays. Literally give us any holiday and we can go all out on it, no joke. So it’s weird to be in a place where Christmas is just another day to their society.
Some cafes and restaurants would be playing Christmas music and have some decorations put up, and it was super nice, but when it’s 90 degrees and humid outside, your internal clock just isn’t registering that it’s the middle of December. Unless of course, you’re from Southeast Asia.
I still pushed for some Christmas traditions and fun, I wanted to make this a great time and fight against the homesickness.
We found a store that sold nearly every American name brand that you could think of. You want some Mission tortillas? How about Popsicle? Pillsbury cake mix? Yoplait yogurt? Even Cookie Crisp cereal. Which I advise against buying unless you want to pay the imported price of $8 a box.
Seriously, it was a celebration for us. God bless you, Super Duper.
So I hit the jackpot, and we made Christmas cookies. 🙂
We invited our little friends down to help us too! Sonna and Rotha are the daughters of the family we are staying with, and they are the sweetest people here.
Christmas Eve was spent taking Christmas family photos…
eating dinner at our favorite restaurant down the street…
and watching a Mary-Kate and Ashley movie.
We even attended a Khmer Church Christmas service. I loved seeing their congregation on fire for the Lord. Super inspiring and super kind people.
Christmas breakfast was accompanied by a handwritten card from Rotha.
Christmas dinner was graciously paid for by Momma Jenkins! We shared letters we had written for each other, got ice cream, and video chatted our families.
My brothers are growing up and getting so cute! I can’t handle it!
Christmas this year was unlike anything I expected, but it was good. I spent it with the people I love; from my roommates to watching my family have fun 8,000 miles away.
Merry Christmas from Cambodia!
